More Than Just A Comeback

With the return of many starting players from last years team, including running back Robert Turbin and Wester Athletic Conference player of the year Bobby Wagner, players and fans of the Utah State football team expected a great season.

But after a slew of fourth-quarter losses, the Aggies limped into the last half of the season with a losing record of 2-7.

USU needed a win in last Saturday’s game against Hawaii in order to salvage their season and possibly become eligible for their first bowl game since 1997.

But the game started out terrible for the Aggies.

After being shut down in the first half, a win against the Warriors looked grim. Things got worse when freshman quarterback Chuckie Keeton took a hard hit to his head with only seconds to go before half time. He laid motionless on the turf and was later put on a stretcher and carted off the field.

The Aggies would have to overcome a 21 point deficit in the second half without Keeton.

But 21 points wasn’t enough to keep the Aggies from their victory.

Backup quarterback Adam Kennedy stepped in and led the Aggies to a comeback win, outscoring the Warriors 28-3 in the second half. Kennedy threw for 163 yards and had two touchdowns in just two quarters of play.

“I would have been nervous if it hadn't been for my teammates," Kennedy said in an interview with the Utah Statesman. "They constantly came up to me telling me that they believed in me and that they were behind me. That gave me a lot of confidence. I expected the nerves to come, but they never came.”

The Aggies finally overcame their difficulties in the fourth quarter, scoring twice and maintaining a strong defense.

"In the fourth quarter, if you look at our games, we always give up, we slack," USU linebacker Bojay Filimoeatu said in an interview with the Utah Statesman. "At the beginning of this week, Coach Andersen said, ‘Enough is enough.' He lined us up and made us run sprints at the end of practice, and then Mike Smith took charge and huddled us up together, and he spoke from the heart and we threw fours up. I say we were perfect in the fourth quarter."

Not only did Kennedy’s stellar performance help save the game, but also the respect of the fans.

“I think this win gave the season new life,” USU student Jared Neimer said. “It shows that they haven’t just given up on the season.”

(j.ballard)

Brandon Fonda is a student at Utah State University studying Journalism and Communications.

Hockey Preview: USU vs BYU

The Utah State University hockey team is becoming more popular in Logan attracting fans and USU students with its fast-paced offensive style of play. The Aggies have dominated their opponents this season and are undefeated.

The Aggies (10-1-0) look to improve their record when they face Brigham Young University this saturday.

BYU has struggled this season and is winless.

The last time these two teams met was in September when the Aggies dominated the Cougars, beating them 17-3.

"Everyone was really excited for the game," USU forward Brendan MacDonald said in an interview with the Utah Statesman. "For a lot of the boys, it was their first game in the building, so they were all really excited."

Their excitement was visible from the beginning face-off.

USU forward Tyler Mistelbacher scored just nine seconds into the first period and the Aggies would put the puck in the net 16 more times by the end of the game.

Nine different Aggies scored and MacDonald, Mistelbacher and defenseman Jeff Sanders all had hat-tricks.

"BYU works hard every game. It's a rivalry, and it always has been," MacDonald said in an interview with the Utah Statesman. "Our skill level and work ethic really set us apart from them."

Though USU hockey has proven itself to be the dominate team in the western region, the game against BYU this saturday should be exciting and action-packed.

“I love going to a rivalry game,” Spencer Harris, a USU hockey fan said. “Even though we’re going to kill BYU, it’s still fun to see all the goals and maybe some fights.”

Hockey games are not just for sports fans but are a great date idea, said USU student Alex Wankier.

“I have taken a couple dates to games this season,” Wankier said. “Each date turned out great.”

The last time the two teams met was in front of a sell-out crowd of 2,050 fans.

Saturday’s game will be played at the Eccles Ice Arena in North Logan.

Tickets are $5 for USU students and kids aged 17 and under. Adult tickets are $7.

(k.blesch)